Only on www.SkinInc.com: Exclusive spa-focused commentary by Debra Koerner of Destination Spa Vacations follows this news item explaining how your spa can market its Valentine's Day services this year.

Let’s be honest … we all like to go a bit overboard with chocolate on Valentine’s Day. So much so that The Nielsen Company reports more than 58 million pounds of chocolate candy will be purchased during Valentine’s week, ringing up $345 million in sales. Want to provide all that chocolate goodness to your clients without all the calories? The following 10 tantalizing recipes from the Destination Spa Group (DSG) are just the ticket for your sweet tooth.

“You have permission to indulge on Valentine’s Day without breaking those healthy New Year’s resolutions,” says DSG Executive Director Debra Koerner, “Some of the most creative and health-conscious chefs in the world are found at destination spas. They specialize in making healthy food taste great, and their recipes don’t require you to spend a day in the kitchen.”

With 25 locations around the world, all DSG members offer a complementary balance of fitness, healthy cuisine, life-enhancing programs and relaxing spa services. From Mayan Hot Chocolate, to Orange Almond Brownies and Fudge Cherry Cake, these health-conscious recipes won’t make your waistline bulge. See the DSG website for complete recipes.

Grape nuts, tofu and chocolate pudding mix combine for a low-calorie pie that is breeze to make.

Chocolate Chippers: Contributed by New Life Hiking Spa

Provide this recipe to clients with kids. They love to help with making the Chippers as they’ll enjoy rolling the dough into balls for baking.

Fudge Cherry Cake with Raspberry Sauce: Contributed by Red Mountain

Yum all around and only 213 calories per serving!

Mayan Hot Chocolate: Contributed by Rancho La Puerta

Chocolate was originally developed by the Mayan people of southern Mexico. This hot chocolate is based on an authentic Mexican drink recipe and even has a secret ingredient.

Dark Chocolate Mousse: Contributed by The Oaks at Ojai

At only 60 calories per serving, including a half cup of berries, the Dark Chocolate Mousse provides some nondairy protein for clients looking for a dairy alternative, and it is gluten-free, as well. During the summer months, it can be frozen and used as a sorbet.

Tiramisu: Contributed by Deerfield Spa

This Italian treat can be made at home with some basic ingredients that take away calories without taking away the decadence.

Chocolate Bourbon Cream Pie: Contributed by Lake Austin Spa Resort

Topped with nutmeg and chocolate gratings, this amazing pie comes in at only 170 calories per serving.

Orange Almond Brownies: Contributed by Golden Door, Escondido

Black beans in brownies? You betcha! With the orange zest, almonds and almond extract, you can’t taste the beans and they make an amazing base for a rich, moist brownie.

Two-Layer Chocolate & Orange Cake: Contributed by Spa Eastman

How about an amazing chocolate cake that contains no flour? This recipe incorporates dark chocolate, which contains 70% cocoa and provides the body with polyphenols that fight cancer.

Debra Koerner of Destination Spa Vacations, tells SkinInc.com how spas can make the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday one of the most profitable ever.

"One way to get some great exposure during any holiday is to theme a press release and tie it in with the treatments being offered for the chosen holiday. For Valentine’s Day, the press would be interested in information focusing on the healthy aspects of spending time with your sweetheart while receiving treatments, such as massage.There is plenty of research online to draw upon to add credibility to the release. What’s most important is that the press release is not focused primarily on the Valentine’s Day packages, but on the bigger health topic. Within the body of the release, there can be mention of the packages created to support the main topic. The headline could be something like: “Spending time with your sweetheart, while reducing stress never felt so good.” Spas should get in the habit of tying in their treatments to bigger topics such as weight loss and stress reduction. If the media sees high quality, relevant releases coming in regularly, it also sets the spa up as an expert to be consulted when story ideas arise," says Koerner.

Following is an example of the type of package that can be promoted for Valentine's Day from Destination Spa Vacation member Chiva-Som in Thailand.

Treatment: Valentine’s Body Cocoon

Duration: 70 minutes

This treatment starts with choco-coconut body scrub,followed by relaxing back neck and shoulder massage with Chiva-som's Signature Contemplation Massage oil, then clients' skin is deeply moisturized by a vanilla and cocoa butter body wrap.

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